Wrench.



No. 855,891. PATENTED JUNE 4', 1907'.

D. P. KAHLB.

WRENCH.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 17.1906.

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UNITED sTATns PATENT OFFICE.

DORSEY P. KAI-ILE, OF VENUS, PENNSYLVANIA.

WRENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 4, 1907.

Application filed November 17,1906. Serial No. 343,835

certain new and useful Improvements in Wrenches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to wrenches, and the invention relates more particularly to that type of wrench commonly styled a monkeyH wrench.

The invention has for its primary obj ect to provide a quick acting wrench wherein positive and reliable means are employed for effectin(T a rapid adjustment of the movable jaw of the wrench, as well as a minute adjustment after the movable jaw has been moved into close proximity to the object which it is to grip.

The invention aims to provide a simple and inexpensive wrench that can be easily and quickly manipulated, the mechanism entering into my invention being applicable to various types of wrenches, therefore I do not care to confine myself to the specific type of Wrench to be hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawing forming part of this specification, like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved wrench, Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same, Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line rof Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is an elevation of a movable sleeve, Fig. 5 is a plan of the same, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a movable jaw, Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevation of a wrench illustrating a slight modification, particularly in the sleeve, and movable jaw of my improved wrench, Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the same, Fi 9 is a horizontal sectional View taken on t e line @/-y of Fig. 7, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the movable locking washers of my improved wrench, Fig. 11 is an elevation of a modified form of sleeve used in connection with the wrench illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8,

Fig. 12 is a plan of the same, Fig. 13 is an elevation of a washer-retaining ring.

To put my invention into practice, I construct my improved wrench of a shank 1 having an integral or fixed jaw 2, and a handle 3. The shank is formed with two diametrically opposed ilat surfaces 4, said surfaces having longitudinally disposed grooves 5 formed therein terminating at the lower end of the handle 3. The shank is also provided with threads 6.

Upon the shank 1 is mounted an adjustable jaw 7, said jaw comprising two straps 8 and 9 connected by a yoke 10. The strap 9 directly beneath the yoke 10 is provided with a depending lug 11 having a semi-circular lip 12. The inner sides of the strap 9 are provided with confronting lugs 9a adapted to engage in the grooves 5 of the shank 1 and guide the jaw 7 and prevent its rotation upon said shank. The lip 12 is adapted to engage beneath the flanged collar 14 of a sleeve 15, which is revolubly mounted upon the shank 1. The sleeve 15 has its side cut away, as at 16 forming two diametrically opposed flat surfaces 17. In the out away portion 16 of the sleeve 15 are mounted two locking washers 18 and 19 and a washer-retaining ring 20. The washers and the ring are formed with iiattened surfaces 21 to engage the surfaces 17 of the sleeve 15. Each washer has one side of its opening 22 provided with threads 23 to engage the threads 6 of the shank 1. The washer opposite the threads 23 is provided with a recess 24 in which recedes a coil spring 25 having its ends secured to the washer as at 26. Each washer is formed with a protuberance 27 employed in moving the washer when mounted in the sleeve 15.

The washers 18 and 19 are reversely arranged in the sleeve 15, that is, the springs 25, threads 23, and protuberance 27 oppose one another (see Fig. 2) and in order to retain the washers 18 and 19 in this arrangement, the washer ring 23 is interposed between the washers 18 and 19 and provided with pins 28 95 and 29. The pin 28 extends upwardly into the coil spring 25 of the washer 18, while the pin 29 extends downwardly into the spring 25 of the washer 19. When the ring 20 and the washers 18 and 19 are placed together prior to placing them upon the shank 1, it is necessary that the springs 25 of said washers be placed under tension, to aline the openings of said washers and rings whereby they may be placed upon the shank 1. It is therefore obvious that when the washers have been placed upon the shank 1, the springs of said washers will frictionally hold the threads 23 of' each washer in engagement with the threads ofthe shank 1, the threads of the IOO IIO

washer 18 engaging upony one side oi the shank, while the threads oi the washer 19 engage upon the opposite side of the shank.

In Figs. A7, 8, 9, 11 and 12, I have illustrated a slight modification wherein a shank 30 having i'lattened sides and threads 32 is used, the grooves 5 being dispensed with. Upon the shank 30 is slidably mounted a jaw 33 similar in all respects to the jaw 7, with the exception, that the lower strap 34 of said jaw is formed with two substantially semicircular lips 35. Revolubly mounted upon said lips is a sleeve 36 having a semi-circular ianged collar 37, which engages the lips 35. The sleeve 36 is practically the same as the sleeve 15, and the only' difference of any importance between the wrench illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and the wrench illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 resides in the manner of connecting the sleeves to the movable jaws of the wrenches.

The operation of either one of the wrenches illustrated is as follows 2-To adjust the movable jaw of the wrench, the wrench is gripped whereby the protuberances 27 of the washers 18 and 19 can be pressed inwardly. This movement of the washers causes the springs 25 to recede within their respective recesses, while the threads 23 of each washer become disengaged Jfrom the threads 6 of the shank 1, thus permitting oi the washers 18 and 19, sleeve 15, and aw 7 sliding upon the shank 1. Assuming that the wrench is to grip an object, the jaw 7 is moved as close to the object as the threads 6 oi the shank will permit, and then the washers are released in order that they may again grip the threads upon each side of the shank 1. Now, to obtain a minute adjustment of the jaw 7, the sleeve 15 together withits appurtenant parts is rotated similar to the sleeve or nut of an ordinary wrench. As the threads 23 of each washer occupy practically one-half of the inner circumference oi each washer, the sleeve and washers can be easily rotated upon the threads 6 of the shank 1.

I do not care to confine myseli` to the integral type of handle shown in connection with the wrench of Figs. 1 and 2, as various types of handles can be readily employed in.

connection with a wrench shank constructed in accordance with my invention.

It will be obvious that the adjusting or gripping mechanism comprising the sleeve 15 and Washers 18 and 19 can readily be used upon other devices, therefore I do not care to limit or conne the scope of the adjusting or gripping mechanism specifically to a wrench.

What I claim and desire to secure by Iietters Patent, is 1- 1. In a wrench, the combination with a threaded shank having a iixed aw, and longitudinally disposed groove formed therein, of an adjustable jaw slidably mounted upon said shank and having lugs engaging in the grooves of said shank, a revoluble sleeve de tachably connected to said jaw, movable locking washers mounted in said sleeve and having threads to engage the threads oi said shank, a retaining ring mounted between said washers, pins carried by said ring, and extending into said washers, springs arranged in said washers and engaging said pins for'normally holding the threads-of said washers in engagement with said shank, and protuberances carried by said washers, substantially as described.

2. In a wrench, the combination with a threaded. shank having a xed jaw, of an adjustable jaw slidably mounted upon said shank, a revoluble sleeve detachably connected to said jaw, movable locking washers mounted in said sleeve and having threads to engage the threads of said shank, a retaining ring mounted between said washers, pins carried by said ring and extending into said washers, springs arranged in said washers and engaging said pins for normally holding the threads of said washers in engagement with said shank, and protuberances carried by said washers, and means to prevent said jaw from rotating, substantially as described.

3. In a wrench, the combination with a threaded shank having a fixed jaw, of an adjustable jaw slidably mounted upon said shank, a revoluble sleeve carried by said jaw, locking washers mounted in said sleeve and having threads to engage said shank, aretaining ring interposed. between said washers, means carried by said washers and engaging said ring for normally holding said washers in engagement with said shank, and means to prevent the rotation of said jaw.

4. In a wrench, the combination with a threaded shank having a fixed aw, ofanadjustable jaw slidably mounted upon said shank, a revoluble sleeve carried by said jaw, spring held locking washers mounted in said sleeve and normally engaging said shank, and means to retain said washers within said sleeve.

5. A wrench embodying a threaded shank, a 'fixed jaw, an adjustable jaw slidably mounted 'upon said shank, a revoluble sleeve connecting with said jaw, and spring held locking washers movably mounted in said sleeve and having' threads to engage said threaded shank.

6. A wrench embodying a threaded shank, a aw, an adjustable jaw slidably mounted upon said shank, a sleeve revolubly connected to said adjustable jaw, oppositely moving IOO IIO

locking washers mounted in said sleeve and lwashers revolubly supported from said adjustable jaw and adapted to engage said to maintain said washers out of alinement shank, and means for normally holding said for normally holding said washers out of washers in engagement with said shank.

S. A gripping mechanism consisting of a sleeve, oppositely moving locking Washers mounted in said sleeve, a retaining ring interposed between said washers, and means carried by said washers and engaging said ring alinement. i 5 10. A gripping mechanism consisting of oppositely moving locking washers suitably housed, and means interposed between said washers and in said washers Jfor normally holding said washers out of alinement. zo In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DORSEY P. KAHLE.

with one another.

9. A gripping mechanism consisting of a l l i i i l sleeve, oppositely moving locking washers Witnesses: mounted in said sleeve, and meansinterposed MAX H. SROLOVITZ, between said washers and in said washers A. J. TRIGG. 

